Irving came to the Broncos via the third round of the 2011 NFL draft—General Manager John Elway’s maiden draft class. Due to the NFL lockout, roster injuries and suspensions, Irving didn’t get a chance to shine as the team’s middle linebacker until last season.

In the eight games Irving started, he performed very well as the team’s Mike linebacker, although he had to come off the field on third down. As a two-down thumper, Irving is a better than average inside linebacker with upside.

Returning to Denver didn’t appeal to Irving as much as going to Indy, because he would likely have been a rotational guy behind projected starters at inside linebacker, Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan.

Irving isn’t likely guaranteed a starting spot with the Colts, but he’ll have a better shot to compete for one. The Broncos are high on Marshall and Trevathan and consequently, they’ll give the young linebackers every chance to succeed.

Last offseason, the Colts gave D’Qwell Jackson a multi-year deal and although he was solid in 2014, he was far from transcendent. Jerrell Freeman is the other starting Colts ILB. Both players graded out in the negative via Pro Football Focus in 2014. Irving might have an honest chance of competing for a starting slot.

John Elway and Gary Kubiak obviously have a vision of what the 2015 Broncos will look like and the seven free agents they’ve let walk don’t fit into it.

Many saw yesterday's signing of Reggie Walker as the writing on the wall for Irving. Irving signing with Indy the very next day is no surprise, especially given the contract that the Broncos gave Walker (one year, $795K), a significantly cheaper option than Irving, whose deal with the Colts is three years, worth up to $9.25M, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson.

It should be noted that Irving is coming off of a partially torn MCL in his right knee, suffered in Week 9 vs. New England--an injury that landed him on season-ending injured reserve. Its possible the Broncos know something we don't regarding his recovery.

Irving came to the Broncos via the third round of the 2011 NFL draft—General Manager John Elway’s maiden draft class. Due to the NFL lockout, roster injuries and suspensions, Irving didn’t get a chance to shine as the team’s middle linebacker until last season. \r\n

In the eight games Irving started, he performed very well as the team’s Mike linebacker, although he had to come off the field on third down. As a two-down thumper, Irving is a better than average inside linebacker with upside. \r\n

Returning to Denver didn’t appeal to Irving as much as going to Indy, because he would likely have been a rotational guy behind projected starters at inside linebacker, Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan. \r\n

Irving isn’t likely guaranteed a starting spot with the Colts, but he’ll have a better shot to compete for one. The Broncos are high on Marshall and Trevathan and consequently, they’ll give the young linebackers every chance to succeed. \r\n

Last offseason, the Colts gave D’Qwell Jackson a multi-year deal and although he was solid in 2014, he was far from transcendent. Jerrell Freeman is the other starting Colts ILB. Both players graded out in the negative via Pro Football Focus in 2014. Irving might have an honest chance of competing for a starting slot. \r\n

John Elway and Gary Kubiak obviously have a vision of what the 2015 Broncos will look like and the seven free agents they’ve let walk don’t fit into it. \r\n

Many saw yesterday's signing of Reggie Walker as the writing on the wall for Irving. Irving signing with Indy the very next day is no surprise, especially given the contract that the Broncos gave Walker (one year, $795K), a significantly cheaper option than Irving, whose deal with the Colts is three years, worth up to $9.25M, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson.\r\n

It should be noted that Irving is coming off of a partially torn MCL in his right knee, suffered in Week 9 vs. New England--an injury that landed him on season-ending injured reserve. Its possible the Broncos know something we don't regarding his recovery. \r\n\r\n

Irving came to the Broncos via the third round of the 2011 NFL draft—General Manager John Elway’s maiden draft class. Due to the NFL lockout, roster injuries and suspensions, Irving didn’t get a chance to shine as the team’s middle linebacker until last season.

In the eight games Irving started, he performed very well as the team’s Mike linebacker, although he had to come off the field on third down. As a two-down thumper, Irving is a better than average inside linebacker with upside.

Returning to Denver didn’t appeal to Irving as much as going to Indy, because he would likely have been a rotational guy behind projected starters at inside linebacker, Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan.

Irving isn’t likely guaranteed a starting spot with the Colts, but he’ll have a better shot to compete for one. The Broncos are high on Marshall and Trevathan and consequently, they’ll give the young linebackers every chance to succeed.

Last offseason, the Colts gave D’Qwell Jackson a multi-year deal and although he was solid in 2014, he was far from transcendent. Jerrell Freeman is the other starting Colts ILB. Both players graded out in the negative via Pro Football Focus in 2014. Irving might have an honest chance of competing for a starting slot.

John Elway and Gary Kubiak obviously have a vision of what the 2015 Broncos will look like and the seven free agents they’ve let walk don’t fit into it.

Many saw yesterday's signing of Reggie Walker as the writing on the wall for Irving. Irving signing with Indy the very next day is no surprise, especially given the contract that the Broncos gave Walker (one year, $795K), a significantly cheaper option than Irving, whose deal with the Colts is three years, worth up to $9.25M, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson.

It should be noted that Irving is coming off of a partially torn MCL in his right knee, suffered in Week 9 vs. New England--an injury that landed him on season-ending injured reserve. Its possible the Broncos know something we don't regarding his recovery.